Rozelle: Owners Against Merger Usfl Talks Did Take Place -- Nfl Wants To Control Team Movement

January 25, 1986|By Jerry Greene of The Sentinel Staff

NEW ORLEANS — NFL Commissioner Pete Rozelle reiterated his conviction that USFL teams would not be absorbed into the elder league as part of a merger-settlement of the USFL's $1.32 billion lawsuit.

Rozelle's firm stand on the USFL was part of his annual ''state of the league'' address given Friday to the press corps here for Sunday's Super Bowl XX. Though Rozelle mentioned a number of problems facing the NFL, his discussion was low-key and generally optimistic.

On the USFL, Rozelle stressed that the NFL owners were unanimous in their feeling that they were ''not interested in any merger settlement.''

But Rozelle did concede that merger talks had taken place between representatives of the two leagues, ''but always at the initiation of their the USFL's side.''

He indicated that the trial involving the two leagues probably would not begin until ''sometime this spring.'' It's rumored that a late trial start would force the USFL to postpone its next playing season until the fall of 1987, but Rozelle said he had no idea whether or not the USFL would play this fall.

Legislation and litigation, including the USFL's suit, comprised one of two major areas of concern, Rozelle said. Another need, according to Rozelle, was for legislation that would allow owners to control the movement of franchises and to pool profits without threat of antitrust litigation.

Rozelle said the continuing litigation between the NFL and the Los Angeles Raiders is costing the NFL owners ''about $70 million'' at this time.

The other major concern was each team's escalating payroll versus a stable income. The average player received $202,000 in base pay and $63,000 in bonuses this season. And the average team had 45 active players and 11 players being paid on injured reserve for an average player payroll of $15 million.

On the up side, Rozelle noted that the league's TV ratings were up 4 percent and stadium attendance was strong in 1985. He said the growth of the Super Bowl was an indicator of the health of pro football in America.

''America needs an outlet like the Super Bowl,'' Rozelle said. ''It gives us the chance to think about something other than international and national problems. The Super Bowls have their role in our society.''

He conceded that this Super Bowl week had been dominated by the antics of Chicago quarterback Jim McMahon, who Rozelle called, ''a fascinating folk hero, but you can cross the line.''

He cited McMahon's mooning of a helicopter this week as ''distasteful.''